Internships

The NESA Center’s internship program is an opportunity for highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students to gain professional skills and subject matter development on foreign policy and national security issues associated with the Near East and South Asia region.

Interned Students

Universities

Different Majors

**The NESA Center is no longer accepting applications for Summer ’25 internships. The Fall Internship Term will begin after Labor Day. Application window dates for Fall '25 internships will be posted soon.**

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (1-3 pages) to Mr. Sam Marrero at Samuel.Marrero@ndu.edu. The NESA Center reviews internship applications on a rolling basis, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply early. NESA internships are full-time and unpaid.

Note: To be considered, applicants must reside in the Washington DC area for the duration of the term for which they’re applying. Geographically remote internships will not be considered.

NESA Center Interns – May 2025

Abigail Smart

Abigail is a junior at the University of New Hampshire, pursuing degrees in International Affairs and Political Science with a concentration in International Security. She focuses on governance and state-building, human development, and inter-ethnic relations in the Near East and South Asia. Abigail has completed a year abroad in Paris, competes with her university’s Model United Nations team, and plays rugby in her free time. Abby is enthusiastic about contributing to NESA’s work, deepening her understanding of U.S. foreign policy in the region, and supporting faculty through ongoing programs and research.

Ellie Trumpfheller

Ellie is an undergraduate at the University of Georgia pursuing degrees in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in History. She focuses on how great power competition, regional politics, and historical contexts shape modern conflict. Ellie recently completed a UGA fellowship in security policy and research while co-authoring a paper on the evolution of the Abraham Accords, inspiring her to study modern Middle Eastern history for a term at the University of Oxford, where she joined the John Porter Centre for Diplomacy doing policy research on cognitive warfare threats. Ellie has gained practical experience through internships with the House of Representatives, the Board of Elections in Athens, Georgia.

Jasmine Rehman

Jasmine is a Masters student in Georgetown University’s Masters of Science in Foreign Service program. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and a B.S. in Business Analytics and Information Systems from the University of South Florida. Jasmine is passionate about advancing the fields of conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and holistic approaches to preventing/countering violent extremism, particularly in the Near East South Asia region. She is excited to support the NESA center’s vital work in regional education, engagement, and outreach and contribute to conflict resolution through initiatives in security cooperation, civil-military relations and Track II diplomacy.

Trisha Vemulapalli

Trisha Vemulapalli is an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, studying Political Science, Business, and Economics. She is passionate about global affairs, international business, and real estate. With a special interest in the NESA region — particularly India — she is excited to dive deeper into how peace, prosperity, and strength can work together to shape the future. Trisha is thrilled to join NESA to learn from the incredible faculty and interns, expand her global perspective, and contribute to research and programs that connect diplomacy, security, and economic development across the region.

NESA Center interns use academic research, writing, and communications skills in support of faculty research and programs. Interns receive access to the National Defense University library and research resources to support research work. Interns participate in conferences, workshops, and other programs at the National Defense University featuring academics, subject matter experts, military officers, and diplomats. Interns also receive development opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, accompanying faculty and participants on site visits to places like Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the State Department.

Interns are encouraged to pursue publication opportunities under the guidance of, or in partnership with, NESA Center faculty.

The NESA Center internship is unpaid, and the NESA Center does not provide or assist interns in finding housing accommodations. If you are without housing accommodation, or your home institution or Washington, D.C. area supporting institution does not provide housing accommodation, then interested applicants are encouraged to search listings online or reach out to a D.C.-based intern hosting organization.

The NESA Center does not sponsor travel or work visas for non-U.S. citizens. Hosting organizations such as The Washington Center are able to facilitate this and do so on a regular basis for NESA Center interns. We invite non-U.S. applicants to apply through such organizations if they are not already in the United States.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Assist NESA Center faculty and staff with long- and short-term research projects related to the NESA region.
Support NESA Center programs: note-taking, course material preparation and logistical support.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

A demonstrated interest in International Affairs, Defense, Security Studies, and the NESA Region.
Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently or in teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Foreign Language skills a plus: particularly Arabic, French, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari.
Interested applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting university program (undergraduate or graduate).

Reflections from Past Interns

“My internship with NESA has been the most fruitful experience in my academic and professional career yet. The opportunity to work alongside Faculty members on research projects I am passionate about deepened my knowledge of the region while opening my eyes to a new side of international relations. NESA truly shaped the trajectory of my career and the meaningful connections I made still support me long after the conclusion of my internship.”

-Sophie Rossi, James Madison University, Spring 2023 Intern

“I worked on intriguing research projects and assisted thought-provoking and engaging seminars on a wide variety of NESA region topics. Considering the genuine conversations I had with NESA faculty, staff, and outside experts, the entire experience was pivotal in deciding the next steps in my academic and professional career and helped me develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take them.”

-Lien Knaepen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, Spring 2022 Intern

“The unique and stimulating environment at NESA has become the foundation of my academic and career trajectory. NESA gave me invaluable experiences deepening my knowledge of the Middle East and Asia, as well as opening my eyes to the importance of sub-regional distinctions in international security. My enduring and vibrant relationships with the NESA Senior Leadership, Faculty and Staff continue to shape my global perspective and benefit me professionally.”

-Patrick Centeno, Ramapo College, Summer 2021 Intern

“I had the unique opportunity to assist NESA’s expert faculty research on topics that most interest me and engage with practitioners and government officials directly from the NESA region. Although my internship was virtual, it was highly dynamic and interactive. I gained skills and connections that have already been crucial for beginning my career in foreign policy.”

-Ishmael Maxwell, Carleton College, Summer 2020 Intern

“Through NESA, I was able to develop professional skills alongside experts from across the globe. The flexibility NESA offers in developing my own research with guidance from Faculty allowed me to develop skills crucial for my career path. NESA is filled with opportunities that prepare students for the workforce.”

-Arwa Mokdad, University of Washington, Fall 2019 Intern

“NESA did not only give me the opportunity to see, listen and learn from experts in their fields, it also gave me the opportunity to interact with military officials from the NESA region. NESA also helped me to pursue my future goals and even put me in contact with people in the field from my home country, Belgium.”

-Kirsten Devlieger, Free University of Brussels, Fall 2018 Intern

“The NESA Center offered opportunities to which I’d never imagined I’d have access as a student. Not only was I able to take notes and learn from participant programs, but I engaged with participants and even observe high level policy meetings. Very few internships could have offered me the same opportunities as the NESA Center.”

-Chris Atmajian, California State University Northridge, Spring 2018 Intern

“What was different than other internships was being able to develop our own research interests and getting to interact with participants from the region. That was an incredible experience. As someone who also interned on the Hill, the biggest difference was that NESA helped me professionally develop and expand my network in an area in which I’m interested in working.”

-Matt Mueller, James Madison University, Summer 2017 Intern